Why SPLA not pay for their salaries
By Manyang Mayom*
Feb 21, 2006 — It is not that easy to organize a rebel movement into an organized army. But there are methods and procedures, if applied, could help. Taking a living example of Any-nya one forces. When their leadership came up with that pocket agreement, immediate orders were issued for the forces to group in specific places in Bahr-El-Ghazal, Equatoria and Upper Nile. Then screening started 30 days later. The wounded and disabled were separated, and registered; replacement was completed in another thirty days. Finally, the size of Any-nya one forces was known in form of regular forces, police, prisons and game wardens was known precisely.
Final stage is re-organization of forces according to rank and file. And it was now feasible to apply rewards and compensations. In our case, (SPLA), since signing the CPA on Jan. 9th, 2005, nothing happened, Orders should have been like these: ” From C-in-C office:- All the SPLA forces in Equatoria, must assembly at Yei immediately; the forces in Bahre-El-Gazal should assembly at Bussere, and forces in Upper Nile should gather at Ayot. Officers, who have no assignments for the time being, must report to the units nearer to them”
Then a screening commission is formed with effect. Registrations of wounded, disabled and fit armed forces should begin after 30 days of assembling. The wounded, disabled, those willing to join police, prison and games be registered separately. Then the regular SPLA, with newly recruits, be organized according to rank and file. Then we can have salary structures. Without proper organization, it would not only be a dream, but a shameful failure if attempts are made to pay any type of money and call it ‘salary’. By the way, it was tried in Nairobi in February 2005 and it failed.
The question is why was it not done since Jan.2005? Were we waiting for the money to be released from Khartoum? Now, we have the money, why are we not paying salaries to soldiers? Please not that, no body knows the size of the SPLA forces. We are under illusion that it is being kept secret. This is nonsensical. The truth is nobody knows the size. If you ask Gen. Paul Malong Awan, he may say, “some commanders have control more than 200,000 soldiers as their security guard; but I am not sure how many forces are under the control of Pieny Deng Majok, Uyai Deng Ajak, Obute Mamur, Anthony Bol Madut, Kennedy,etc. Where are the SPLA forces to be paid salaries? Is the salary the top thing they need? Don’t we even see some pictures of these naked soldiers? You only know an SPLA soldier by they type of gun he/she is carrying. It is a real shame. Our General has decorated themselves with bundles of uniforms when their body-guards are naked. If I was not the orphans without father and non military man I would have offered to take off for six months to help in organizing the SPLA forces, establish a budget and create salary structure based on how they will be organized. I am still waiting for my time to come….My father was been Killed in 1986 in Tergol town while I remain no good education for myself. I even looked to be organized by the SPLM/A.
In a net shell, you cannot pay unorganized forces. The danger is they may get frustrated and rebel at the end of the day.
Always I am proud by Late hero word say here in Rumbek that I and those who joined me in the bush and fought for more than twenty years, have brought to you Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in a golden plate. Our mission is accomplished. It is now your turn, especially those who did not have a chance to experience bushes life. When time comes to vote at referendum, it is your golden choice to determine your fate. Would you like to vote to be second class citizens in your own country? It is absolutely your choice” Say by African late hero Dr. John Garang de Mabior Rumbek, in Southern Sudan. May 15, 2005 here in Rumbek Freedom Square.
I appeal to SPLA/M to stop jailing the in silent people in their liberated area. To Jail your countrymen doesn’t show that you are a full commander. It shows that you are doing nothing to your citizens and you wanted to abuse them forever and ever.
* Manyang Mayom, is Sudanese journalist based in Rumbek, southern Sudan. He is a regular contributor to Sudan Tribune. He is reachable at [email protected]